Fossil Fuel

The Paris Agreement entered into force on November 4, 2016. The agreement, which represents a world-wide commitment to drastically reduce carbon emissions, has the potential to change the course of humanity’s relationship with the environment. By drastically reducing carbon emissions, the pact aims to prevent the world’s average temperature from increasing by more than 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial temperatures and targets an increase of no more than 1.5 degrees. The Paris Agreement itself is dynamic. Rather, it is intended to increase a country’s domestic efforts gradually. This agreement creates the pressure and means to complete the difficult task of reducing emissions by 2030 and 2050.

Although many argue that the agreement will not achieve the expected goals and that allowing each country to set its own targets will be useless, there are also those who argue that the goals are too ambitious considering that currently, global average temperatures have increased by 1.2 degrees Celsius due to human activities compared to temperatures in pre-industrial times.^[1] When it comes to reducing emissions, a 2018 study showed that if the United States fails to meet its Paris climate goals, it could cost the economy $6 trillion in the coming decades.^[2]

But, on the other hand, some actors also choose not to join in efforts to save the earth. Russia, the fifth largest emitter, didn’t even make a promise. Only the European Union, the third largest emitter, has pledged to reduce emissions by at least 40 percent by 2030 and is expected to achieve a reduction of nearly 60 percent.^[3]

The Paris Climate Agreement has received enough signatures and entered into force on November 4 after the European Union ratified the agreement on October 5. This agreement is a historic victory for the environment for many people around the world, including the leaders who signed it. Nationally determined contributions (NDC), or national climate action plans, have been submitted by various countries since 2020. Each NDC is expected to show greater ambition than the previous NDC by outlining the steps they will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Developed countries argue that greater action must be taken urgently to combat climate change.

To support joint efforts, countries created the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) with the Paris Agreement. Starting in 2024, countries will be required by the ETF to publicly report on their progress and activities related to climate change mitigation, adaptation strategies and assistance provided or received.^[4] Despite this, many articles state that globally, there is only a small chance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, because many countries are reducing emissions very slowly.

Scientists warn that unchecked global warming could lead to environmental disasters across much of the earth, such as extreme sea level rise, unprecedented droughts and floods, and massive loss of species. The world’s main scientific organization researching climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), states that since pre-industrial times, concentrations of these heat-trapping gases have increased significantly to levels unprecedented in at least 800,000 years.^[5]

Regarding the high-level conference to protect the earth, at the end of November 2023, world leaders will meet in the United Arab Emirates to discuss the latest round of UN climate negotiations. They will discuss what is still possible to do to mitigate climate change, and, perhaps just as important, what cannot be done. The dates for COP 28 are set at 30 November 2023 to 12 December 2023. Pre-session is scheduled for 24-29 This meeting will be held to ensure an inclusive and transparent process leading up to COP 28, both COP 27 and the incoming COP 28 Presidency have made a commitment to achieve this goal.^[6]

The Paris Agreement itself is proof of the efficiency of multilateral diplomacy in resolving international problems. To work together to achieve common goals, this organization brings together almost all countries in the world, representing various interests and goals. This shows the need for global cooperation in overcoming complex problems. This agreement recognizes that there is shared responsibility but at “different levels”. This shows that although rich and developing countries have had different historical contributions to this problem, all countries recognize the importance of addressing climate change. Moreover, because of this agreement allowing each country to choose its own climate goals and policies, the Paris Agreement still respects national sovereignty.

By setting standards for climate action around the world, the Paris Agreement wields “soft power.”[7] This shapes international expectations, which influence how countries behave and make decisions. This shows how international agreements can have significant impacts that go beyond their formal provisions. Countries are encouraged by this agreement to create and implement national climate policies. This emphasizes how closely linked domestic policy and international relations are, and international agreements are often the driver of change at the national level.

Because of its broad impact on many aspects of national and international security, climate change has become a contemporary security problem in international relations, even one of modern security. Due to its impact on ecosystems, resource scarcity, and loss of biodiversity, climate change poses a danger to environmental security.[8] With various tragedies related to nature in recent years, it is certain that national security does not only need to be maintained through the military, but through non-traditional methods such as improving the environment because the destructive effects can indirectly result in extinction.

[1] Raymond Zhong, “Window for Meeting Key Climate Goal Is Even Narrower Than Thought”, The New York Times, October 31, 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/30/climate/carbon-budget-paris-agreement.html

[2] Melissa Denchak, “Paris Climate Agreement: Everything You Need to Know”, NRDC, February 19, 2021, https://www.nrdc.org/stories/paris-climate-agreement-everything-you-need-know

[3] Stephen Leahy, “Most countries aren’t hitting 2030 climate goals, and everyone will pay the price”, National Geographic, November 6, 2019, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/nations-miss-paris-targets-climate-driven-weather-events-cost-billions

[4] “The Paris Agreement”, United Nations Climate Change, https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement?gclid=Cj0KCQjwqP2pBhDMARIsAJQ0CzoUb2ArM1bPx2qL3dKT6QoZ_kGo_Piwp9w6DLGowgcaGyGcsWazBz0aAtinEALw_wcB

[5] Op. Cit., NDRC

[6] Op. Cit., United Nations Climate Change

[7] Jennifer Jacquet & Dale Jamieson, “Soft but significant power in the Paris Agreement”, Nature Climate Change 6, pp.643-646, 2016

[8] “Climate Change and International Security “, Think Tank European Parliament, March 6, 2022, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)729467